2006 Volkswagen Passat complaints

VEHICLES THROTTLE- BY- WIRE SYSTEM CREATES UNSAFE DELAY IN ACCELERATION AND AN EXAGGERATED LUNGING EFFECT WHEN UNEXPECTED. UNSAFE IN THE EVENT OF AN EVASIVE MANEUVER, MERGING, PASSING AND STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OF 0-5MPH THE ENGINE JUMPS TO RPM'S OF 900 TO 1000 RPM'S CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. THIS OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE AND THE ENGINE IS HOT. THE RPM'S GO DOWN ONLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND THE MOTOR IS REVVED UP, OR WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE IDLES ROUGHLY AND HESITATES. WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THERE IS LAG BETWEEN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED AND THE WHEN THE ENGINE KICKS INTO GEAR. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WHILE PARKED, AT LOW SPEEDS, OR TURNING THE VEHICLE RIGHT OR LEFT, THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT SUSPENSION AREA. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER STRUT BEARING WHICH SEEMED TO HELP FOR A WHILE, BUT NOW THE GRINDING SOUND IS BACK. THE GRINDING SOUND IS NOW COMING FROM THE LEFT SUSPENSION AREA. *AK

EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE ;THE PROBLEM THAT I AM ABOUT TO DESCRIBE HAS ON A CONSISTENT BASIS OCCURRED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES ; THERE ARE THREE PROBLEMS. THE 1ST PROBLEM BEING THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING/ON AND I AM EITHER IN PARK, AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIMILAR, THE ENGINE "SPUTTERS" AS IF IT HAS LOWER GRADE/BAD GAS OR IS MISFIRING OR HAS AN AIR LEAK OF SOME SORT. PROBLEM 2, WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP/PARKED AND THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE, WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE TO "CREEP" FORWARD (LIKE IN TRAFFIC) THE CAR SHAKES/THROBS/INCHES FORWARD AS IF THE BRAKES ARE CLAMPING DOWN ON THE DISCS AND LETTING GO REALLY QUICK. IT IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES BECAUSE IF I LET THE CAR "CREEP" IN IDLE UP A HILL WITHOUT USING THE BRAKES THE CAR STILL SHAKES/THROBS. THE 3RD PROBLEM IS THAT THE THROTTLE RESPONSE IS DELAYED ANYWHERE FROM 1 FULL SECOND TO 3 FULL SECONDS. IT'S SIMPLE, WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE/THE ENGINE DOES NOT REV ANYWHERE FROM 1 TO 3 FULL SECONDS. AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS, IT DOES THE SAME THING. IN BOTH INSTANCES WHETHER IT BE AT A STOP LIGHT OF CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS PROBLEM HAS NEARLY GOTTEN ME KILLED OR SERIOUSLY HURT. WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE = I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS SO THEY COULD FIX IT AND THEY DIDN'T COME UP WITH ANYTHING. *JB

ON 7/13/06 I PURCHASED A NEW 2006 VW PASSAT FROM BERT SMITH VW IN ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA. I TOOK DELIVERY AT 5PM ON FRIDAY 7/14/2006. I HAVE 4 MAJOR PROBLEMS. BERT SMITH VW SERVICE PERSON (NOEL APONTE AND HIS SERVICE MANAGER MICHAEL) AND THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE BELOW ISSUES. FIRST ISSUE: I HAVE EXTREME IDLE SHAKING OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS CONSTANT - MEANING YOU WOULD HAVE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION TO STOP IT. I CAN SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND STILL FEEL THE SHAKING. I CAN PUT THE GEAR IN PARK OR IN DRIVE AND IT IS STILL SHAKING. SOMETIMES THE SHAKING IS MILD (LIKE THE SHAKING WHILE BRAKING) OTHER TIMES IT IS SEVERE...SO SEVERE YOU CAN SEE THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKE. SECOND MAJOR ISSUE: I DRIVE MY CAR OF A PARKED POSITION (OR AFTER COMING TO A ROLLING STOP AT A LIGHT) AND THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO PULL OR LUNGE FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS PREVIOUSLY ON THE BRAKE. AT THIS TIME I HAVE TO PUT EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING FORWARD. THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN AND I AM OFF. I COME TO ANOTHER LIGHT, THE SAME THING HAPPENS. REGARDING THESE 2 ISSUES, HERE IS A THREADED DISCUSSION ON THE WEBSITE VWVORTEX.COM. HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=2619540 ALL OF THESE OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ALL FEEL VW IS GIVING THEM THE RUN AROUND. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS. IS THERE A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM? THESE ISSUES ARE ON-GOING THE MOMENT I LEFT THE BERT SMITH DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY 7/14/06. THIRD ISSUE: THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE SEVERE THROTTLE

THERE ARE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. I DIDN'T EXPERIENCE THE SYMPTOM WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE CAR HAD 71 MILES AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. I STARTED EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM BETWEEN 200-250 MILES. FAILURE: THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES SHAKES MILDLY TO VIOLENTLY WHEN THE IGNITION IS ON AND THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. I SERVICED THE VEHICLE WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL. *NM

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING FORWARD THERE IS A ONE TO TWO SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD. I SERVICED THE VEHICLE WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NORMAL. *NM

I PURCHASED MY VW 3.6 4MOTION PASSAT WITH 71 MILES. WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 200 TO 250 MILES, THE ENGINE STARTED SHAKING WHEN GENTLY APPLYING BRAKES AT SLOW SPEEDS. I ALSO EXPERIENCE THIS WHEN THE GEAR IS IN DRIVE AND THEIR IS NO GAS BEING APPLIED. I HAVE SERVICED THE VEHICLE WITH VOLKSWAGEN TWICE AND THEY STATE THAT THIS IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS THROUGH A INTERNET FORUM AND DISCOVERED THAT NOT ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE TYPE THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS SYMPTOM. THE SHAKING TOPIC CAN BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING URL. HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=2619540. *NM

MY WIFE AND I LEASED A 2006 PASSAT VALUE EDITION ON 06/24/06 FOR THIS COMPANY. IT CAME TO MY WIFE'S ATTENTION ON 07/20/06 WHILE AT WORK THAT THE CAR IS LEAKING OIL. SHE CALLED ME AND I CALLED THE DEALER. PAUL AUERBACH OF MOUNTAIN STATES INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. I SCHEDULED THE APPOINTMENT FOR MY WIFE AT 6-6.30PM SINCE SHE USES THE VEHICLE. THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLOSES AT 7.00PM. HE ALSO ADVISED ME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE DEPENDING ON THE PROBLEM SO THEY WOULD GIVE US A LOANER IF NECESSARY. MY WIFE TOOK THE CAR IN AT AROUND 5.40PM ON 07/20/06. WHEN SHE GOT THERE SOMEONE TOLD HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TIL 07/21/06 TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT.THIS WAS NOT THE AGREEMENT. MY WIFE CALLED ME WHEN SHE GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I TOLD HER TO TELL THEM THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. SHE TOLD PAUL THAT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SALES GUY WHO SOLD US THE CAR(KENNY). THEN PAUL WENT TO THE SERIVCE GUY AND HE INFORMED HIM THAT THE DAMAGAE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I ACCEPT THAT, BUT THIS PAUL A SALES MANAGER SPECIFICALLY TOLD MY WIFE THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR IT AT NO COST TO US. UNLESS HE AND KENNY ARE WILLING TO CALL MY WIFE A LIAR I CONSIDER THAT A VERBAL CONTRACT. THEY WANT US TO PAY $506.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. NOW MY WIFE AND I HAVE OWNED A FEW VEHICLES IN OUR LIFE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. I THINK THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THE DEALER SHOULD FIX IT AT NO COST TO US BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY WOULD, SEEING THAT THE CA

RECURRING ENGINE MISFIRE. THERE IS A ENGINE MISFIRE THAT SEEMS TO OCCUR MOSTLY WHEN IT'S VERY HOT OUTSIDE (ARIZONA SUMMERS!) AND SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTS THE CAR'S ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO CHECKED THE FUEL FILTER AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. THEY RESET THE CODE AND GAVE THE CAR BACK TO ME. THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING AND I AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE CAR IN AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CONTACTED VW AMERICA AND VW AMERICA STATED THEY KNOW OF NO PROBLEM, BUT FOR ME TO BRING THE CAR IN AND ATTEMPT TO RECREATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE MISFIRE OCCURS. *JB

2006 VW PASSAT 2.0T AIRBAG FAILURE. TWO PREVIOUS AIRBAG FAULT WARNING LIGHTS, DEALER SIMPLY RESET. ON THIRD FAILURE LIGHT WARNING, I WAS ADVISED THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS BROKEN. VW OF AMERICA ADVISED ME TO "JUST DRIVE" WITH THE WARNING LIGHT ON AND THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK! *JB

2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT DELAY IN ACCELERATION, WHILE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE HESITATION. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS KNOW AS THE CALIFORNIA 5 MPH START HESITATION. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS A SOFTWARE ISSUE THAT WOULD BE CORRECTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *JB

THERE IS AN UNSAFE PROLONGED HESITATION WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON THE 2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3.6 LITER 4 MOTION. WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL YOU'VE DEPRESSED THE PEDAL APPROX. 3/4 TO AN INCH OF PEDAL TRAVEL, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR LURCHES AND ACCELERATES AT WHAT FEELS LIKE HALF TO FULL THROTTLE. IT IS A RANDOM HESITATION, YET OCCURS AT PROBABLY 30% OF THE TIME. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, YET WILL HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IF ACCELERATING TO PASS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION. IF THIS ABRUPT ACCELERATION OCCURS IN SNOWY OR ICY CONDITIONS, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES, WHEN I EXPECTED MY CAR TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, ONLY TO HAVE IT HESITATE AND NEARLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAR HAS A DRIVE BY WIRE ACCELERATOR, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A FAIRLY RECENT DESIGN CHANGE. WE HAVE ANOTHER CAR WITH THE SAME TYPE OF SYSTEM WHICH DOES NOT DO THIS. I HAVE READ 2 NEW CAR REVIEWS THAT HAVE MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. AFTER TAKING DELIVERY, I CALLED TO TELL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL", THEY TOOK MY CAR IN TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT WAS THERE FOR 10 DAYS, DURING WHICH TIME 2 ENGINEERS CAME OUT FROM VOLKSWAGEN TO LOOK AT THE CAR. THEY AGREED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING AMISS, AND FELT THAT THEY NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE INSTALLED. THERE WAS NOT ONE AVAILABLE, AND I WAS TO

2006 VW PASSAT 3.6 TWO WEEKS AGO A NOISE APPEARED QUITE SUDDENLY. ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD A BAD MUFFLER. NOISE COMING FROM FRONT, RIGHT OF CAR. ALMOST SOUNDED LIKE A BASEBALL CARD IN YOUR BIKE SPOKES BUT LOUDER AND DEEPER. STARTS AT AROUND 50 MPH. TONE AND SPEED OF SOUND DECREASES AS SPEED OF CAR DECREASES BUT OTHERWISE STAYS CONSTANT. DISAPPEARS WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF GAS. TOOK IT TO CARTER VW. THEY HEARD SOUND. TOLD ME THAT AIR PRESSURE IN FRONT, RIGHT TIRE WAS AT MAX AND SO THEY LET SOME AIR OUT AND THAT "FIXED" THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT. SINCE I HAD NOT HAD THE TIRE PRESSURE CHANGED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN NOV - I FOUND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT WOULD FIX THAT PROBLEM AND TOLD THEM THAT. WILL TAKE IT TO CHAPLINS VW, WHICH IS MUCH CLOSER TO HOME. *JB

PURCHASE 2006 PASSAT WITH 4 WHEEL MOTION IN FEB 2006. APPROXIMATELY 6 WEEKS LATER ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOOK OUT THE GAS TANK TO REPAIR VACUUM PROBLEM. THEN THERE WAS GROANING WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED BRAKE PARTS. IT IS NOW THREE WEEKS LATER AND I STILL HAVE BRAKE PROBLEM. THE CAR NOW GROANS WHEN EVER I TURN RIGHT, LEFT OR STRAIGHT. ESPECIALLY LOUD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I FEAR THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS UNSAFE. DEALERSHIP SHOWING NO CONCERN. I AM ON MY SECOND ATTEMPT TO FIX THE BRAKE. I WILL CONTACT A LEMON LAW LAWYER IF THIS FAILS. *JB

EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION. BY PUSHING THE BUTTON FOR THE PARKING BRAKE, YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO RELEASE IT WHEN YOU PRESS YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT APPEARS LOCKED AND UNABLE TO RELEASE. *JB

WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM WORKS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY ON LOW, HIGH SETTINGS NO MATTER WHAT SPEED I'M DRIVING. CAR DOES NOT HAVE A RAIN SENSOR SYSTEM. DEALER DIDN'T HAVE AN ANSWER CALLED VW TECH CENTER AND WAS TOLD THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER SAID " WE DID A WATER TEST ON YOUR WINDSHIELD WITH A GARDEN HOSE AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE WIPERS PICKUP SPEED , EVERYTHING IS FIND." I DROVE THE CAR HOME IMMEDIATELY AND DID MY OWN GARDEN HOSE TEST, STILL INTERMITTENT OPERATION. DROVE BACK TO DEALER HAD THEM WRITE UP ANOTHER SERVICE ORDER AND HAD SERVICE WRITER AND TECH PERFORM THE WATER TEST IN FRONT OF ME. THE WIPER SYSTEM FAILED THE TEST AND WORKED ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CALLED VW TECH CENTER AND THEY WERE STILL CLUELESS AND TOLD THE TECH TO CHANGE OUT THE WIPER SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FOR LACK OF KNOWING ANYTHING ELSE TO DO. JUST READING YOUR FIRST COMPLAINT ON THIS VEHICLE I'M IN THE SAME MANUFACTURING RUN. THE DEALER IS GIVING OUT A LOT OF BAD INFORMATION DUE TO THE LACK OF FACTORY TECH. SUPPORT. ONE WEEK OUT AND CAR AND STILL AWAITING MODULE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AUTO HOLD HAS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO ROLL INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP PREVIOUSLY, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DETERMINED. *AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. UPON DROP OFF TO DEALER IT STAYED FOR 5 BUSINESS DAYS(AS OF 3/30 IT IS STILL THERE). MULTIPLE FAULT CODES FOR MISFIRING IN ONE OF THE CYLINDERS. PLUGS, 6 COILS, FUEL PUMP RELAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED. INJECTOR CLEANSING BEING PERFORMED. CAR IS 5 WEEKS OLD WITH 1300 MILES. ALL THESE FIXES HAVE AMOUNTED TO NOTHING AS THE CAR STILL HAS THE MISFIRING PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA IS FOLLOWING THEIR GUIDELINES TRYING TO FIX AN UNSAFE CAR.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP, THE RPM GAUGE NEEDLE GAVE SPORADIC READINGS. WHILE THE RPM READINGS WERE INACCURATE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO DOWN SHIFT AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE ENGINE REVVED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO GEAR AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS QUICKLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND CURRENTLY IS UNDER GOING ADDITIONAL TESTING.

I PURCHASED A 2006 PASSAT FROM GRAHAM AUTOMOTIVE IN SIOUX FALLS, SD ON DECEMBER 20, 2005. ON FRIDAY, FEB 24TH WHEN DRIVING ON I-229 IN TOWN I THOUGHT I HEARD SOME SORT OF NOISE IN THE TRUNK. UPON GETTING TO MY DESTINATION, I NOTICED A SMELL LIKE GASOLINE, I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE TO NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE RIGHT FRONT SECTION OF THE GAS TANK. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS 2 MILES AWAY. THEY PUT IT UP ON THE RACK AND HAD ALREADY DETERMINED IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I LOOKED AT THE GAS TANK AND NOTICED THAT THE PART OF THE GAS TANK THAT WAS RUPTURED WAS EXPOSED AND HAD TO HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY SOME KIND OF DEBRIS. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I NEVER SAW ANYTHING IN THE ROAD OR ANYTHING FLY FROM BEHIND THE VEHICLE, IT WAS A SUNNY DAY SO VISIBILITY WAS GOOD. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AND THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THIS DEALERSHIP AND THEY BOTH CLAIM THIS IS NOT THE FAULT OF DESIGN AND ARE NOT HONORING THE WARRANTY ON THIS ISSUE. THEY SAID I COULD SPEAK WITH THE REGIONAL VW REP, JOHN FARBER ON MARCH 1ST WHEN HE'S IN TOWN. THEY QUOTED ME A PRICE OF $900 TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK. ON MARCH 1ST, I MET WITH MR FARBER AND DOUG THE SERVICE MANAGER, THEY HAD ALREADY DISCUSSED THIS AS MR FARBER HAD A COPY OF THE WARRANTY INFO PREPARED WITH HIGHLIGHTED TEXT SAYING THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED AND HE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. I THEN SHOWED HIM A NEWS STORY I SAW ONLINE ABOUT GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIONS INTO RUPTURED GAS TANKS ON NISSA

LTR FM (PA) OWNER OF A 2006 PASSAT DEFECTIVE SEATING QUESTION WHY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED DOT. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEATER SEATS BURNED HIM. *JB

THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN MATERIAL FOR THE LEATHER SEATS AND HEADREST. VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT WILLING TO HONOR THE WARRANTY FOR THE LIMITED NEW VEHICLE. I WANTED TO A INDEPENDENT AUTO INTERIOR SPECIALIST, WHO SAID IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. YET, VOLKSWAGEN SAID IT'S NORMAL AND SAID THE OTHER VEHICLES ARE THE SAME. HOWEVER, WHEN ASKED TO SEE THE OTHER VEHICLES THERE WAS NONE AVAILABLE. *NM

DECEMBER 23 - LEASED A BRAND NEW 2006 PASSAT. DROVE OFF THE LOT AND ON TO THE HIGHWAY. TRIED TO WASH WINDOWS, WINDOW SPRAY WORKED, WIPERS DID NOT. STOPPED TO CHECK OWNERS MANUAL, I WAS USING THE EQUIPMENT PROPERLY. THE WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL, ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY CAME ON AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, BASICALLY WORKING AT WILL. DECEMBER 24 - DEALERSHIP CLOSED, DECEMBER 25 DEALERSHIP CLOSED AND I WAS UNABLE TO USE THE CAR, FEARING FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY WITH REGARD TO THE WIPERS. DECEMBER 26 - TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY PUT THE CAR ON THE "MONITOR", SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT, THEY WERE UNABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY THE WIPERS. MECHANIC WHO LOOKED AT THE CAR TOLD US TO GET ANOTHER CAR, DON'T KEEP THAT ONE. DECEMBER 26- LEFT RELATIVES HOUSE, WIPERS TURNED ON AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL AFTER THE CAR WARMED UP. DECEMBER 27 - NO ISSUES. DECEMBER 28 - LEFT HOME FOR WORK, WIPERS TURNED ON AND DID NOT SHUT OFF, AGAIN ONLY ONCE THE CAR WARMED UP AND I REACHED THE DEALERSHIP. KEPT THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS, CALLED TO SAY THEY WERE REPLACING THE MOTOR AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE, EVEN THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. CRAZY EXCUSES. LUCKILY SINCE THEY REPLACED THE PART THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE WIPERS ARE WORKING. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM. AFTER ENGAGING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTO THE ON POSITION THEY B WORKED INTERMEDIATELY BASED ON SPEED AT WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING. THIS ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT LESS THAN 5 MPH. ONCE THE VEHICLE REACHED A SPEED OF MORE THAN 5 MPH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT FELT THERE MAY BE A COMPUTER PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE DESIGNED TO WORK IN THIS MANOR. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.*AK

IMPENDING HEALTH RISK TO USERS OF THE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HERE IS A COPY OF AN EMAIL I RECENTLY SENT TO VOLKSWAGEN, THEIR (SAD) RESPONSE, AND MY REPLY ================================================= DATE: FRI, 21 OCT 2005 08:39:08 -0700 (PDT) FROM: "CATT" <[email protected]> TO: "VIC WEB RESPONSES" <[email protected]> HOW ABOUT YOU READ MY EMAIL AGAIN? I DID NOT SAY YOUR AD WAS OFFENSIVE--I SAID IT WAS DANGEROUS. ARE YOU ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR ANOTHER JACK IN THE BOX DEBACLE? VIC WEB RESPONSES <[email protected]> WROTE: DEAR CATT, THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR COMMENTS WITH OUR VOLKSWAGEN WEBSITE. WE HAVE NOTED YOUR CONCERNS AND WOULD LIKE TO APOLOGIZE IF YOU FOUND THE NATURE OF THIS AD OFFENSIVE. WE HERE AT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA STRIVE TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCE OF OUR BRAND OF DRIVING EXCITEMENT TO VOLKSWAGEN ENTHUSIAST'S THROUGH CLEVER AND INNOVATIVE SPOTS, CREATED BY A REFRESHING AND ENTERTAINING NATIONAL ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN. PLEASE ACCEPT OUR APOLOGY, ONCE AGAIN. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUBMISSION AND INVITE YOU TO VISIT AGAIN SOON! KELLY VOLKTALK -----ORIGINAL MESSAGE----- FROM: [email protected] [MAILTO:[email protected]] SENT: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2005 3:44 AM TO: [email protected] {ABRIDGED VERSION} EMAIL TO VOLKSWAGEN COMPANY RE: PASSAT TELEVISION ADVERTISING--SPECIFICALLY FOOD POISONING I JUST VIEWED YOUR NEW TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE PASSAT. PLEASE NOTE: YOU MAY WISH TO PULL THE NEW AD SHOWING YOUR GLOVE BOX COOLER IMMEDIATELY, AS THIS COULD BE A PUBLIC RELAT

HERE IS THE ENTIRE UNABRIDGED VERSION OF MY FIRST EMAIL TO VOLKSWAGEN REGARDING THE HEALTH SAFETY ISSUES OF LISTING THEIR GLOVE BOX AS A MINI-REFRIGERATOR. THIS ADDENDUM CAN BE ATTACHED TO COMPLAINT WITH THE CONFIRMATION # 10140486 PREVIOUSLY SENT TO YOU {YOUR SYSTEM WOULD ONLY ALLOW FOR 2000 CHARACTERS} THANKS, CATT ================================================= -----ORIGINAL MESSAGE----- FROM: [email protected] [MAILTO:[email protected]] SENT: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2005 3:44 AM TO: [email protected] SUBJECT: MARKETING / PUBLIC RELATIONS EMAIL TO VOLKSWAGEN COMPANY RE: PASSAT TELEVISION ADVERTISING--SPECIFICALLY FOOD POISONING I JUST VIEWED YOUR NEW TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE PASSAT. PLEASE NOTE: YOU MAY WISH TO PULL THE NEW AD SHOWING YOUR GLOVE BOX COOLER IMMEDIATELY, AS THIS COULD BE A PUBLIC RELATIONS NIGHTMARE WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE AD SHOWS SOME YOUNG MEN OUT STOPPING FOR SOME SUSHI, AND THEN STORING IT IN THE GLOVE BOX. A VERY LARGE NO NO! THEY SHOW THEM DIALING THE TEMPERATURE DOWN TO 60 DEGREES--HARDLY A SAFE TEMPERATURE FOR RAW FISH AND/OR MANY OTHER KINDS OF FOOD THAT REQUIRE REFRIGERATION. (IF THEY SHOWED CHOCOLATES NOT MELTING, IT WOULD BE ONE THING, OR KEEPING SOME FRUIT CHILLED TO TASTE...(BASICALLY ANY FRUIT OTHER THAN PEELED MELON...AGAIN ANOTHER HEALTH HAZARD IF STORED ABOUT 40 DEGREES) PLEASE PRESENT THIS INFORMATION TO THE POWERS THAT BE--THE ONES WHO MAKE THE DECISION TO PULL THE ADS. I HAVE TAKEN THE FOOD SERVICE SANITATION LICENSING AN